Music, wildflowers and banked trails

Jackie Greene plays to an appreciative crowd at the 11th annual Targhee Music Festival. PHOTO BY JEREMY HARDER

In 11th year, Targhee Fest delivers the goods

Story and photos by Eric LaddEBS Publisher

ALTA, Wyo. – Surveying the grounds at the 11th annual Targhee Music Festival, one quickly got a read on the fan demographic that this mountain music event attracts.

Hundreds of campers flanked the Grand Targhee Resort parking lots and surrounding fields, with a mix of RVs, tents, and vans sporting full-suspension mountain bikes and tie-dye wearing occupants. This three-day music festival is becoming renowned as a top destination for music lovers with a penchant for the outdoors.

The 2015 Targhee Fest, held from July 17-18, hosted three days of musical acts ranging from the groovy jams of Jackie Greene to the hard driving rock of Government Mule, and the polished sound of Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers. Patty Griffin and Mavis Staples brought powerful performances featuring rhythmical gospel tunes that proved to be crowd favorites.

Patty Griffin brought a powerful performance to Grand Targhee Resort.

Brandi Carlile closed out the festival with a soulful 90-minute set that left fans cheering for more. The vibe was positive and artists closed nearly every performance by thanking the crowd and asking organizers to invite them back for next year’s festival.

The Targhee Fest scene is an idyllic slope-side gathering that offers organic clothing and jewelry vendors, locally crafted beer, and chairlift rides to scenic overlooks of the iconic Grand Teton. Hundreds of children ran around the grassy meadows and hula-hooped with their faces painted in exquisite detail.

Targhee’s staff met the crowds with big smiles and helpful attitudes as Mother Nature did her best to cooperate despite the occasional rain showers. Well-organized camping and hot showers were readily available for cleaning up after enjoying the many activities outside the music venue.

Music festivals across the country tout special qualities, but Grand Targhee is quickly becoming known as the “go to” gathering for mountain bikers, hikers and active outdoor connoisseurs.

Targhee offers more than 47 miles of perfectly manicured multi-use trails winding through the aspen

Grand Targhee has more than 47 miles of trails for mountain biking.

trees and endless meadows of wildflowers – they’re sure to impress anyone looking for some morning exercise before a day of music. And the kid’s zone is ready for any high-energy 6-year-old, with everything from a bungee trampoline to a three-story rock-climbing wall.